Candidates for Cincinnati Public Schools board of education squared off Tuesday during the only public forum where all eight were invited to address the issues.

        Many of the candidates, competing for four seats on the board, focused on similar themes for the future of the 42,000-student school district: increasing student achievement, refurbishing school buildings and continuing progress with school reforms, such as the district's plan to redesign five of its neighborhood high schools.

        About 90 people came out for the two-hour forum, sponsored by Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools, at Mayerson Academy in Corryville.

        Marlin Harris and his wife, Angela, of North Avondale, who have a child in Sands Montessori school in the West End and two children in private schools, said the forum was informative.

        “You get an idea where the people are coming from and the experience or inexperience people have,” Mr. Harris said.

        The candidates are:

        • Melanie Bates of North Avondale. Issues: Improving teacher quality by offering more training for teachers to achieve district standards.

        • Roy McGrath of Clifton Heights. Issues: Ensuring term limits for board members and reducing the dropout rate.

        • Ed Rothenberg of Hyde Park. Issues: Strengthening discipline policies in schools, increasing parental involvement, reviewing school start times.

        • G.R. “Sam” Schloemer of Springfield Township. Issues: Raising student achievement, supporting the superintendent with reform efforts and serving as a peacemaker on the board.

        • Frederick Suggs of North Avondale. Issues: Creating uniform standards for curriculum in every school, rejuvenating music education in school.

        • Incumbent Catherine Ingram of Mount Auburn. Issues: Reducing the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students.

        • Incumbent Harriet Russell of College Hill. Issues: Improving student achievement, renovation and replacement of school buildings, and engendering more community involvement in decision-making.

        • Incumbent Sally Warner of Columbia Tusculum. Issues: Supporting the district's reforms to make sure all children learn.

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